Pallet Conveyance Work Completion Detection Using Multi-Sensor Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
In pallet transport systems, workers may forget to perform the work completion operation, leading to delayed machining of workpieces and reduced productivity, as there is no effective method to automatically detect the completion of attaching a workpiece to a pallet.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates a camera to image the pallet and worker, an open/close sensor for the door, a clamp sensor to measure clamping strength, and an area sensor to detect light intensity changes, allowing the control device to determine work completion based on these indicators and initiate pallet transport accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual work completion operation is used, then worker can control the process, but worker may forget to perform the operation causing delays
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic detection of work completion through sensors that monitor the workstation state, eliminating the need for manual worker input. The sensor system independently determines when attachment work is complete based on objective criteria, making the system self-monitoring and removing reliance on human memory or attention.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device continuously receives feedback from sensors about the workstation state and automatically adjusts the transport schedule based on this information. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that pallet transport is triggered precisely when work is complete, preventing both premature transport and delays from forgotten manual operations.
2Extent of automation
If automatic detection system is implemented, then work completion can be detected automatically, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is designed to detect multiple different indicators of work completion (door closed state, clamp activation, light curtain interruption) using a unified detection framework. This multi-functional approach allows the same basic sensor infrastructure to handle various types of attachment work completion signals, reducing overall system complexity compared to having separate detection systems for each method.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables automatic detection of workpiece attachment completion, preventing delays and enhancing productivity by ensuring timely pallet transport even if the worker forgets to perform the work completion operation.
Implementation Method 1
a camera arranged to take an image of at least one of the pallet located in the workstation, and the worker conducting the attachment work in the workstation
Implementation Method 2
an open/close sensor for sensing an open/closed state of the door
Implementation Method 3
a clamp sensor for sensing a physical quantity indicating strength of fixation of the workpiece to a jig attached to the pallet
Implementation Method 4
a light receiving unit for receiving light emitted from the light projecting unit and outputting intensity of the light
Data Source
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AI summary
A technique for detecting the completion of work of attaching a workpiece to a pallet is provided. A pallet transport system (10) includes: a transport device (300) for transporting a pallet to which a workpiece can be attached; a pallet housing unit (200) for housing the pallet, a workstation (500) in which a worker is to conduct work of attaching the workpiece to the pallet transported from the pallet housing unit (200); a machine tool (400) for machining the workpiece attached to the pallet in the workstation (500); and a control device (50) for controlling the transport device (300). The control device (50) acquires an indicator indicating progress of the attachment work in the workstation (500), determines whether or not the attachment work has been completed based on the indicator, and when it is determined that the attachment work has been completed, transports the pallet located in the workstation (500) to the pallet housing unit (200) or the machine tool (400).